Apologies for late post. Thought I had done this Sunday.
Most Holy and Loving God, we hear how Peter, James
and John recognized your glory and presence in your beloved Son, Jesus. Renew
in us the recognition of your glorious love and presence alive in the world and
with us today.
We can easily miss that you are here, already working for good of all, for we become
overcome by the places of pain we witness, as well as experience ourselves.
We see it in the Ukraine, as Russian forces invade. We know that this is
just the most visible place where violence and acts of death and
destruction are being waged. Mournfully we recognize that this is but one area
where armies fight, and leaders seek to expand their power and influence at the
expense of the lives of others. In Myanmar government planes execute airstrikes
as war continues after a military coupe, civil war continues in Syria, and North
Korea again is attempting to intimidate with missile tests- and if only in
these places, these wars would be too many. Too often war and acts of war are seen as
solutions to problems, or ways to gain more land, power, influence. We pray for
peace in these places we named, and wherever acts of violence are inflicted.
Yet it isn’t just with weapons that we have found ways to
inflict violence. We commit acts of violence against the earth, abusing, using
and destroying your creation in pursuit of progress or profit. As we grapple
with the effects our ongoing disregard has on us and others, grant us the
humility and perseverance to live in a different way, one that honors the gift
of creation instead of desecrating it.
These past weeks have also brought us verdicts in the cases
arising from the killing of Ahmaud Arbery , and George Floyd, cases that
highlight how far we still need to go to end hatred and fear based on the shade
of skin of another. Transfigure our hearts to reveal a love that seeks
reconciliation over revenge or retribution, a reconciliation that can only come
about with the telling of the truth of wrongs committed, fears felt, and
humanity diminished as it seeks your justice for all your children.
Equip us to cherish your glory present in each of us, in every
human being, and in the wonder of your creation, in the same way Peter was awed by your
presence in Jesus. For if we can, how could we live in ways that diminish the
lives of others and of this world?
We pray all this in Jesus name. Amen.
